Baker's Cyst historical posts August 1998

Re: Bakers Cyst

I've just been diagnosed with Bakers Cyst in my right knee. My knee hurts when I sit with it in a bent position for an extended period of time or when I take a first step on stairs with my right foot. I experience no pain when I walk. I have two questions:

1) What are the relaxation techniques you mention?

2) I am in my late 40's. For about 10 years I have walked at least 2 miles every day in good weather. I had a treadmill that I used in the winter and inclement weather, but switched to a Nordic Track skier three years ago. Could either of these activities aggravate the knee problem? I would hate to stop walking.

Thank you.

Re: Bakers Cyst

Posted by Walt Stoll on August 09, 1998 at 08:21:44:

In Reply to: Re: Bakers Cyst posted by Marie Ronca on August 08, 1998 at 09:33:06:

Dear Marie,

ANY weight bearing exercise will aggravate this at this stage. Under water exercises are available in every community & you should look into that. Once you have been free of the "bracing" that causes this, for about a year, you could go back to your present exercises with little fear of recurrence.

Remember, once the cyst is present, it is lkely that you will have to have it surgically removed. If it is still there in about 6 months, that is likely true. Mainly we are talking about prevention of recurrence here.

In the meantime, go to the FAQ page of this site & get the workbook recommended. If you want to know more about what it is, read "The Relaxation Response" by Herb Benson, MD. Every library & bookstore has copies.

THEN, if you still have questions, write again.

Walt

Re: Bakers Cyst

Posted by PAT on August 08, 1998 at 22:45:24:

I have been diagnosed with a Bakers Cyst. The cyst is behind my knee and runs down my leg to approxiamtely my calf. I have an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon in two weeks but I would like some general information about what to expect. I know I will need surgery. Is this going to effect my walking. Does it attach to the bone will I lose some bone?

Thank You

Re: Bakers Cyst

Posted by Walt Stoll on August 09, 1998 at 09:35:23:

In Reply to: Re: Bakers Cyst posted by PAT on August 08, 1998 at 22:45:24:

Dear Pat,

It does not attach to the bone. It is just a hernia of the sac around the joint caused by bracing of the leg muscles increasing the pressure inside the joint. This should have been described to you before you agreed to surgery.

You would be served well to become an expert in this BEFORE you go for your surgery. At least then you come to the situation from a position of strength. The information you need is in the archives of this 'site.

From what you have described, you are not going to pervent the need for surgery with this information. However, it will give you the option of preventing a recurrence AND help you know what is going on right now.

Let us know how you do.

Walt

Walt

Baker's Cyst

My mother-in-law has been diagnosed with a baker's cyst. Her now forty something daughter was diagnosed with one as a child (about six) and I suspect my daughter has one also. She has always complained about any long walks about her legs. She has the cyst behind the same leg as her aunt and grandmother. This really looks like something that is inherited, not necessarily stress induced. My husband's family has vericose veins. Do the two go hand in hand? Do you know of anyone who is doing any research on the subject.

Thanks.

Re: Baker's Cyst

Posted by Walt Stoll on August 22, 1998 at 13:11:36:

In Reply to: Baker's Cyst posted by Cindy on August 21, 1998 at 20:58:54:

Dear Cindy,

It is saf to say that EVERYTHING IS STRESS RELATED! Go to the archives for all you might want to know about this AND the references to take you as far as you might want to go. Once one has the Bakers, eliminating the contributing stressors & stored stress-effect will not make the cyst go away. It will prevent new ones from forming.

Varicose veins and Baker's ARE related if only because both are related to chronic muscle tension in the legs.